Let’s be honest – Thanksgiving is ALL about the food, right? Sure, we get to spend time with friends and family, and we can reflect on what it is that we are thankful for, but often it is the lavish meal that brings us all together. Unfortunately, many of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes are not particularly healthy! This is bad news for anyone who is on a restricted diet to manage a health condition like diabetes or high cholesterol. With that in mind, we’ve gathered together some of our favorite healthy Thanksgiving recipes that also happen to taste great! Now you can feast to your heart’s content without feeling guilty!
Quick Tips for Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
One of the biggest problems when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner is portion sizes. The holidays always encourage a feast mentality at the dinner table, and many of the beloved traditional dishes are high in fat, calories, and sodium. Not only can you try substituting some of these dishes with our healthy Thanksgiving recipes, but you can also try reducing your portion sizes and filling your plate with extra salads and vegetables to counteract the richer food.
Appetizer: Caramelized Leek and Spinach Dip
A big hit at the Thanksgiving table is often the classic spinach and cheese dip. However, it is high in calories and saturated fats, without actually doing much to fill you up! You can try substituting it with one of our healthy Thanksgiving recipes for Caramelized Leek & Spinach Dip instead. The leeks give it a delicious flavor, while low-fat Greek yogurt adds a creamy texture with a protein boost! Serve it with raw veggies for a delicious crunch! We found this great recipe over at Cooking Light for you to try!
Sides: Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
There can be a lot of hidden fats in a side of mashed potatoes, especially if your tried and tested recipe contains lashings of butter or cream. For a healthier alternative, try switching it out for a delicious Garlic Mashed Cauliflower! You can find a simple recipe over at Taste of Home.
Sides: Cranberry-Grape Sauce
What’s a turkey dinner without a dollop of cranberry sauce? Unfortunately, many of the pre-packaged brands of cranberry sauce can be full of unnecessary sugar and added calories. With this delicious alternative, you can enjoy the traditional taste of Thanksgiving and a rich source of antioxidants without worrying about the calories. We added this to our healthy Thanksgiving recipes after finding it at Country Living.
Dessert: Chocolate Avocado Pudding
This decadent dessert is so rich and tasty that your dinner guests will never guess that it’s low in sugar and vegan-friendly! It’s also a great source of healthy fats! You can get the recipe over at Epicurious.
These are just a few of the healthy Thanksgiving recipes we will be trying at our table this Thanksgiving. Do you have any tricks of your own to keep the holiday dinner healthy?
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